Our Locations

Basildon

Basildon

Leonardo has been operating in Basildon, South Essex, since 1952 when its forerunner, Marconi, built the facility due to the pool of highly skilled engineers and researchers available in the region.

Over the past 65 years, the facility has produced several world firsts including the Marconi TICM (the UK's first military standard production thermal imager), the Phoenix unmanned military surveillance vehicle, and the formidable multi-purpose turret fitted to the US C130 Gunship.

Today, the Basildon site is home to nearly 1,000 people who are involved in the design and development of thermal imaging systems, radar systems, radio communications, infrared detection, signal processing and network systems.

Transport links

The Basildon site has excellent transport links into London and its airports, as well as through the new link between Southend Airport and Edinburgh, where another key Leonardo site is situated.

What the local region offers

Locally there is a state-of-the-art sporting village which sits within 250 acres of Gloucester Park and includes both sport and leisure facilities. It was the training camp for several teams at the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Festival Leisure Park is within easy reach and offers a cinema, bowling alley and array of restaurants and bars. For those who prefer the outdoors, there is plenty of countryside to explore with Wat Tyler Park only a short drive away featuring a RSPB Visitor Centre and Discovery Zone. Norsey Woods is located in nearby Billericay and has been designated an ancient monument and a site of special scientific interest.

Chelmsford City Centre is less than 15 miles away and has an abundance of things to see and do with its excellent shopping facilities, and is renowned for hosting the annual music V Festival.

Bristol

Bristol

Leonardo has had a presence in Bristol, south west England, since 2011. Located within walking distance of the UK MoD’s Abbey Wood site, the office is the focal point for Leonardo’s engagement with Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S).

Bristol is the headquarters for Security and Information Systems division in the UK, with its staff of 150 mainly focused on cyber security, with a small population of Simulation & Training specialists. Employees can benefit from networked hot desks, meeting rooms, a training and demonstration suite, and a board room.

Transport links

The city is well served by road, rail and air, with the office being a two-hour drive from London, while Bristol Parkway and Bristol Temple Meads train stations provide rail links around the UK. Bristol Airport offers domestic UK flights, as well as flights to all the main European destinations, including Leonardo’s head office in Rome..

What the local region offers

Bristol topped the list in the Sunday Times Best Places to Live Guide 2017. The South West city was revealed as the most desirable location in all of Britain in the second instalment of the Guide, beating “stiff competition” from London and other major UK destinations.

One of the 19th century’s most famous and innovate engineers, Isambard Kingdom Brunel, had a close association with the city of Bristol. His ship, the SS Great Britain, is now a museum in the city docks. The harbourside is now an attractive, modern development filled with restaurants, bars, shops and hotels.

Anyone who enjoys the theatre can visit the Bristol Hippodrome – one of the country’s top provincial theatres, which hosts many major West End and Broadway productions. In fact, Hollywood legend Cary Grant (originally named Archibald Leach) was born in Bristol, and had his first theatre role at the Bristol Hippodrome.

For students, the city boasts Bristol University, which is ranked in the UK’s top 30 universities, and the University of West England, which offers a variety of highly respected courses across many subjects.

Edinburgh

Edinburgh

With Queen’s Awards for Enterprise in Innovation and International Trade, Leonardo’s Edinburgh site employs approximately 1,800 employees who specialise in the provision of multi-role surveillance radars and countermeasure systems. Originally built in 1943, the site has a rich heritage of innovation, and today it produces world leading technology, including lasers for the US Army’s Apache helicopter, CAPTOR radar for the Typhoon, the Osprey radar for Norway’s all-weather search and rescue helicopters (NAWSARH), the Seaspray Radar for the US Coast Guard, and the Raven radar for Saab’s Gripen Fighter aircraft.

In partnership with Northrop Grumman, the Edinburgh site has also produced some of the most sophisticated laser Infrared Countermeasures (IRCM) capability in the world, with three generations of Directional Infrared Countermeasures (DIRCM) systems developed.

Transport links

Trams offer a frequent and reliable service linking the airport and the city centre, with rail service interchanges at Edinburgh Park and Haymarket stations. Other stops include Murrayfield Stadium and Princes Street. Edinburgh train station provides rail access to all of Scotland’s major cities, as well as to Liverpool, Manchester, Birmingham and London. Edinburgh Airport is served by many of the major airlines and low-cost carriers, with domestic flights, as well as flights into Europe and around the world.

What the local region offers

Edinburgh is the only UK city to appear in Deutsche Bank’s top ten list of cities which offer the best quality of life in the world. The study looked at everything from the cost of living, pollution and climate to house prices. But even if you put these considerations aside, those visiting Edinburgh for the first time are usually struck by the sheer beauty of the architecture, and the vibrant atmosphere of Scotland’s capital. 

The city is home to the world famous Edinburgh Festival, which attracts the best comedy, theatre, art, dance and literature around the world. With cinemas, theatres, museums and an enviable night life, you have the best entertainment on your doorstep. You could be shopping in a high end store on High Street and within ten minutes you can walk through a park, or breathe the fresh air on the top of Arthur’s Seat, an extinct volcano steeped in the legend of King Arthur.

Edinburgh was also recently named as UK’s most walkable city, in a survey of the UK’s ten largest cities. Perhaps the best thing that Edinburgh offers you, is the freedom to live as you choose in a beautiful landscape which is always changing. The city offers a unique balance between urban and rural life and is easily commutable from the surrounding regions such as Midlothian, East and West Lothian, and Fife.

Farnham

Farnham

Leonardo’s association with Farnham was first established in 1968, when scientific development of rugged systems began to make a strong entrance into the electronic world. For nearly half a century, Farnham has been home to Tactical Systems and EW Test Solutions, employing a team of advanced engineers and designers.

This Surrey site has grown considerably over the past two decades and now houses the main design, development and manufacturing for product development and integration for tactical computing, networking products, systems engineering and integration for ‘Command on the Move’ mission systems, and EW Test system design for complex airborne defence aids suites.

Transport links

The Farnham site is easily reached via either the A3 or M3, with direct transport links into London and its airports. Gatwick and Heathrow are within an hour's drive of Farnham.

What the local region offers

Farnborough – the birthplace of British aviation – is within easy reach, and is best known for the bi-annual Farnborough International Airshow, which combines a major trade exhibition for the aerospace and defence industries with a public air show. 

Guildford, with its cobbled streets and street entertainers, is home to Guildford Cathedral, a prominent grade II listed building. The Cathedral is one of only three Church of England cathedrals constructed in the 20th century.

Lincoln

Lincoln

Established in 2007, the Lincoln site offers a dedicated facility to provide Electronic Warfare Operational Support (EWOS) to our Customers, particularly RAF Waddington and RAF Coningsby.

Acting as a satellite-site to the Electronic Warfare (EW) Line of Business based in Luton , the specialist centre combines expertise and experience from both sites to deliver this increasingly important capability. 

The site at Alpha Court is now expanding to include a second building on the business park.  These two facilities will be known as the Training Academy, providing training courses for MoD and external customers in specialist subjects.

Transport Links

Alpha court is easily reached from the A1 or M1, with a direct train service to London from the nearest train station, Newark.  The site itself is on the outskirts of Lincoln, close to the A46 Lincoln Bypass and has ample free parking.

What the local region offers

Lincoln is the home of the infamous Red Arrows, one of the world’s premier aerobatic display teams.  These famous planes are seen frequently practising over the blue skies of the County – a free display for residents and visitors!

The medieval castle, constructed in the 11th century is steeped in history with one of only four originals of the Magna Carta on display.  Sat directly opposite the Castle in a stunning setting is the magnificent Cathedral, which is the second tallest church building in the world.

Lincoln is host to the Christmas Market in December, located in the cathedral area of the city.  The 3 day market is the largest of its kind in the UK, and well worth a visit.
Major cities, including Sheffield, Derby and Nottingham are all within a 60 minute drive, and easily accessible by rail.

Luton

Luton

Leonardo has had a presence in Luton since 2003, and is now home to around 1,000 people who are involved in the design and development of the company’s electronic warfare capability, which has been helping protect airborne platforms from a range of RF-based threats.

The site has strong connections with the local schools, colleges and universities to engage with Leonardo’s Early Careers programmes, as well as promoting STEM events

Transport links

The Luton site is located just off Junction 10 of the M1. It is five minutes away from the Luton Airport Parkway train station, which is only a 20-minute journey into central London. Luton Airport is a couple of miles away from the office, and offers domestic UK flights, as well as flights to all the main European destinations, including Leonardo’s head office in Rome.

What the local region offers

The Luton Office is close to the local shopping centre which also has a wide range of shops and restaurants to choose from, as well as a multi-screen cinema complex. The cathedral city of St Albans is close by famous for its Roman remains and beautiful medieval architecture.

Slightly further afield, Bletchley Park – home of the Second World War codebreakers – is a 45-minute drive from Luton, while Whipsnade Zoo and Woburn Safari Park, are both within a 30-minute drive from Luton. Dunstable Downs offer some scenic walks and stunning views over the Bedfordshire countryside, and is a magnet for gliding enthusiasts.

Southampton

Southampton

Southampton has been home to Leonardo and its predecessor companies’ centre of excellence for infrared detectors since the 1950s. In 2014, the company opened a new £10m facility on Millbrook Industrial Park, bringing together people from three previously separate sites on the South Coast. The consolidated location now houses around 400 staff and hosts some of the company’s communications, optronics and air traffic management products, along with several key airborne and marine technologies.

Transport links

The Southampton site is located just off junction three on the M27, and 15-20 minutes by car from Southampton Airport, which offers domestic UK flights, as well as flights to many European destinations. Trains run from Southampton Central to London Waterloo at regular intervals, with journey times being about 80 minutes.

What the local region offers

Given Southampton’s prime location on the south coast, it should come as no surprise that the most prominent industry is maritime-based. Southampton is the busiest cruise port in the UK and is a gateway to Isle of Wight, Europe and worldwide holiday destinations.

The city is home to two renowned universities, with Southampton University ranked 17th in the 2017 Complete University Guide. You can lose yourself for hours wandering in and around Ocean Village Marina – home to shops, cinemas, restaurants and bars. If you fancy a night of live entertainment, however, Southampton’s beautiful O2 Guildhall gives you the chance to see everything from Katie Melua to circuses to lectures by Professor Brian Cox. Culture addicts are sure to love the Southampton City Art Gallery, the John Hansard Gallery and the Mayflower Theatre (the largest in southern England). The City is also within easy reach of beautiful coastal beaches and stunning landscape in the New Forest.

Southampton has also given us legendary British director Ken Russell, beloved comedian Benny Hill and UK garage superstar Craig David!

Yeovil

Yeovil

Leonardo’s association with Yeovil dates back more than a century, since the Westland Aircraft Works was established in 1915. The site was built in order to build aircraft to support the First World War effort. The first aircraft built at the Works was a Short 184 seaplane, which left on 1 January 1916, by horse and cart. The fourth ever aircraft built at Westland took part in the Battle of Jutland, piloted by Frederick Rutland from Weymouth, or ‘Rutland of Jutland’ as he became known.

Today, Leonardo Helicopters is based in Yeovil, with nearly 2,800 employees producing several helicopters on site including the Super Lynx 300, AW159 and AW101.”

Transport links

Yeovil has some excellent road and rail links, and is within an hour’s drive of Exeter and South Wales, a two-hour drive of Heathrow Airport and Birmingham, and 2.5 hours from central London. There are also frequent daily trains to Exeter, Bristol and London Waterloo (2.25 hour journey). The town is also served by four international airports – Bristol, Exeter, Bournemouth and Cardiff – within an hour’s drive.

What the local region offers

One of the great benefits of life in Yeovil is the wealth of attractions and activities that are available nearby.

In the centre of Yeovil is the Quedam Shopping Centre, as well as a ten-screen cinema and bowling alley for entertainment. There are also plenty of restaurants, bars and pubs in the area, with the range of cuisine varying from Italian to Thai and Indian.

Yeovil is set close to the countryside and is within very close distance to plenty of National Trust locations, including Montacute House, Stourhead and Barrington. It is also a few miles from the historic town of Glastonbury, home of myths, legends and the world famous music festival.

Within a 40-minute drive of Yeovil is the Jurassic coast, which is home to a wide selection of beautiful sandy beaches, from Lulworth Cove and Durdle Door to Weymouth and Lyme Regis. It also has close rail links which can get you to Bristol and Bath in under an hour and a half.